Dymchurch

Kent

This straight beach, near to Romney Marsh, is a mix of sand and shingle. The beach has a wide concrete footway and a low sea wall. At low tide, the sand stretches out about 1/2 mile and the Romney to Dymchurch steam railway runs past the beach. Refreshments available near Dymchurch Martello Tower.

Parking

Dog restrictions

Beach cleaning

Lifeguards

Activities

Go swimming at the beach and visit the Kent Wildlife Trust's Romney Marsh Visitor Centre for information on the area and a bite to eat at the cafe - there's also a gift shop and gallery there in the Trust's award winning eco-friendly building.

Wildlife and Walks

The RSPBs Dungeness National Nature Reserve is to the the south and further inland is Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve, an ancient woodland where you can hear the sound of nightingales or be lucky and spot hawfinches. See Marine Wildlife sightings at this beach

Beach type: sand, shingle,

Beach Location

Beach location map

Currently showing any beaches within a 10 miles radius of Dymchurch beach

Water Quality

What's tested here?

Water samples are taken at this designated bathing water by the Environment Agency, during the bathing season, from 15th May to 30th September. Find out more about designated bathing waters.

What are designated bathing waters?

Water quality needs to be monitored at popular beaches which are called ‘designated bathing waters’ under the Bathing Water Directive. A bathing water is defined as a beach (or inland site) used by a large number of bathers. This is usually considered to be popular, well-used beaches (and lakes), where bathing is promoted or associated facilities are provided.

Sometimes when beaches do not meet these requirements they are monitored on a voluntary basis by the local authority. Although this provides information about the general quality of the bathing water to beach users there is no legal requirement to monitor water quality here and ensure that this beach meets the required bathing water standard or to improve the quality. That is why it is better for any beach which meets the requirements to be designated as a bathing water.

How does a bathing water become designated?

Anyone can recommend that a bathing water should be designated. Please contact the relevant authority for further information;

Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Beaches in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man are not covered by the EU Bathing Waters Directive but they have chosen to monitor some of their popular beaches using the same standards. The Isle of Man Government has not confirmed whether it will adopt the new bathing water standards for the end of 2015. For further information about bathing water sampling please contact the relevant authority;

Bacteria in the water can come from a number of places, including water draining from farms and towns during heavy rain; untreated sewage mixed with rainwater filling the system and overflowing into rivers and the sea (to prevent homes from flooding); and homes and businesses draining dirty water into the wrong pipes.

To help improve water quality:

Water companies can improve the way that sewage is treated where needed, and work to reduce sewer overflows during heavy rainfall.

Environment regulators can investigate where pollution is coming from and rectify this.

Home and business owners can help stop sewer blockages by only flushing the 3Ps – pee, poo and paper. Everything else e.g. wet wipes, sanitary products and cotton buds, goes in the bin. Cooking oils and fat can also cause drain blockages if poured down the sink as they set hard. Cool them first then put in the bin. Check your drains aren’t sending dirty water from toilets, showers and dishwashers into the wrong pipes – go to www.connectright.org.uk

Beach users can report pollution incidents to the local council and the environmental regulators pollution hotline (0800 807060), make sure they don’t leave any rubbish on the beach and clean up after their dog.

Water quality can be reduced for up to 72 hours after heavy rain. Look out for temporary signs at the beach and on our website.

Annual classification

2017 Good

What’s does this mean?

At the end of every bathing season the water quality is classified as either-

Excellent – the highest classification meaning the water is cleanestGood – generally good water qualitySufficient – meets minimum standardsPoor – You are advised not to swim. The beach will stay open and an action plan should be in place to improve the water quality.

Beach Cleans

We need you!

Our volunteers have been surveying rubbish on UK beaches for over 20 years. In that time shoreline litter had more than doubled and plastic has gone up by 180%!

MCS beach cleans are run all year round with our flagship event 'Great British Beach Clean' in September.

Volunteers record the litter they find - we use this information to help Governments and industry understand how to stop the rubbish getting there in the first place. We also promote behaviour change among the public using the data collected.

MCS Beach clean events

Within 10 miles of Dymchurch beach

There are currently no beach cleans within 10 miles of this beach!

All of our cleans are run by volunteers so why not organise your own? We’ve got loads of information to help you get started.

Note: This page shows reports of sightings of jellyfish, basking sharks and turtles ONLY, as MCS holds national databases for these species. Don't be alarmed if it looks like there are lots of jellyfish in the area, they are fascinating creatures. We always advise "look but don't touch".

Latest reported sightings

Within 10 miles of Dymchurch beach

No sightings have been reported in the area. Please report your sightings if you see a jellyfish, marine turtle or basking shark.